Raise your glass and celebrate Oktoberfest around the world

Wednesday

Jul 28, 2010 at 12:01 AMJul 28, 2010 at 6:40 PM

Known as the world’s largest fair, Germany’s Oktoberfest draws more than 6 million people to Munich each year. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the event: Oktoberfest started in 1810 as a horse race and party to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Though the horse race was abandoned in later years, the revelry has remained, and the event is most famous for celebrants consuming large quantities of beer. Oktoberfest revelry has spread from Germany into other countries with residents of German ancestry, including America. If you’re looking to celebrate Oktoberfest, here are five places to visit.

Kathryn Sucich

Known as the world’s largest fair, Germany’s Oktoberfest draws more than 6 million people to Munich each year. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the event: Oktoberfest started in 1810 as a horse race and party to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. Though the horse race was abandoned in later years, the revelry has remained, and the event is most famous for celebrants consuming large quantities of beer. Oktoberfest revelry has spread from Germany into other countries with residents of German ancestry, including America. If you’re looking to celebrate Oktoberfest, here are five places to visit.

Munich
Germany

This year’s festival takes place from Sept. 18 to Oct. 4. The Oktoberfest Costume and Riflemen’s Parade takes place the first Sunday of the event; other highlights include the Parade of the Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries, the Official Tapping of the Keg, the Oktoberfest Mass, the canon salute and an agricultural festival. oktoberfest.de/en

Cincinnati
United States

Cincinnati has a large German-American population, and the city lays claim to the largest Oktoberfest in the U.S., with more than 500,000 attendees. This year’s party takes place Sept. 18 and 19, and features a parade and “The World’s Largest Chicken Dance.” oktoberfestzinzinnati.com

Blumenau
Brazil

Surprisingly, Brazil also has a significant German population. The largest Oktoberfest in this country takes place in Blumenau, in the southeast, from Oct. 7 to 24. Highlights include a competition to elect a queen, daily folk dances and several street parades.
oktoberfestblumenau.com.br (in Portuguese)

Ontario
Canada

Every year, more than 1 million people come to Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, for Oktoberfest. This year’s celebration is taking place from Oct. 8 to 16. Events include the nationally televised Canadian Thanksgiving Day parade, as well as a treasure hunt, car show and gala ball. The event also raises $1.5 million for local nonprofits. oktoberfest.ca

Hannover
Germany

Hanover’s Oktoberfest celebration is the second largest in the world, with more than 1 million visitors. It takes place this year from Sept. 24 to Oct. 10 and features two large beer tents and 160 rides. oktoberfest-hannover.de (in German)